After months of intense negotiations, Israel and Hamas reached a ceasefire agreement on Wednesday, bringing a halt to the conflict that has lasted 15 months.
The fighting began when Hamas launched a surprise attack on southern Israel, resulting in approximately 1,200 deaths.
In retaliation, Israel conducted a devastating military campaign in Gaza, killing over 40,000 people and displacing millions.
This Israeli invasion has been condemned by some as genocide, a claim that Israel firmly denies. The International Criminal Court (ICC) has even issued a warrant for the arrest of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in relation to the conflict.
The latest round of negotiations between Israel and Hamas followed a failed ceasefire attempt in November 2023.
Israel and Hamas reached the agreement after Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani held separate meetings with Hamas and Israeli representatives.
U.S. President Joe Biden confirmed the ceasefire agreement in a statement, emphasizing that it would “halt the fighting in Gaza, surge much needed-humanitarian assistance to Palestinian civilians, and reunite the hostages with their families after more than 15 months in captivity.”
Also, US President-elect Donald Trump stated that a hostage deal had been reached and hostages held by Hamas would be “released shortly.”
“We have a deal for the hostage in the Middle East. They will be released shortly,” Mr Trump posted on Truth Social, his social media platform.
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Despite these statements, the ceasefire agreement has not yet been officially confirmed by the involved parties. The deal is expected to bring an end to hostilities and see the release of 33 Israeli hostages, alongside the provision of humanitarian aid to those victims of the war in Gaza.
Additionally, hundreds of Palestinian prisoners are set to be freed from Israeli jails. According to CNN, the implementation of the agreement could begin as early as Sunday, with hostages from both sides being released.
The release of hostages marks the initial phase of the finalised agreement. Negotiation for the second phase, aimed at ending the war, is expected to begin on the 16th day after the deal’s implementation.
The developments come ahead of President-elect Trump’s inauguration on January 20.
The inauguration date is considered to be a deadline for mediation, given his warning that there would be “hell to pay” if Hamas failed to release Israeli hostages before he takes office.
On Monday, Egyptian mediators presented the final draft of the ceasefire agreement to both parties, with senior officials from Israel’s intelligence agency, Mossad, also involved.
Envoys representing both President Biden and President-elect Trump participated in the talks, and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken noted that the proposed deal was based on a framework introduced by the Biden administration in May.
The Gaza Civil Defense has urged residents to avoid celebratory gunfire as the region anticipates the finalisation of the ceasefire agreement.
The agency warned that such actions could lead to injuries.
“We call upon you to refrain from firing bullets in the air for fear of injuring the displaced people in the tents and shelters,” it said. “We do not want to be saddened by more martyrs and wounded.”
